WAIMEA Jessica Jacinto cashed in a game-high 12 points and team-mate Tori Kagawa dropped in 10 from the perimeter as the Waimea Menehunes opened their girls basketball season with a “rusty’ 50-21 junior varsity victory over the Kapa’a Warriors Tuesday
WAIMEA Jessica Jacinto cashed in a game-high 12 points and team-mate Tori Kagawa dropped in 10 from the perimeter as the Waimea Menehunes opened their girls basketball season with a “rusty’ 50-21 junior varsity victory over the Kapa’a Warriors Tuesday evening at the Clem Gomes gym.
Waimea scored off the opening jump as Melissa Moreno took the tip from Mallorie Hepa and drove for an uncontested lay-in. That began a 12-0 run as Hepa found the range on three of the next five Menehune goals.
The Warrior offense failed to get untracked against the rock-solid 1-3-1 Menehune zone until Pilialoha Keaweamahis successful free throw snapped the run with 1:15 left in the initial quarter.
Tita Kuhauluas trey from the right wing found the bottom of the net for the Warriors first basket to end the quarter at 12-4.
As the Menehunes worked the give-and-go to perfection, Jacinto dropped in three short bankers to help extend the lead to 23-9 after two periods.
The second half was all Menehunes as Kapa’a (missed 11 of 14 free throw tries and) couldnt capitalize on early Menehune foul trouble, while Kagawa found the mark from long distance and Jacinto continued her dominance inside.
Jenalyn Andres was perfection from the line in the final frame (4-4) for Waimea.
Kapa’a freshman guard Theresa Taylor finished strong with 4 of her team-high 6 points coming at the end of the contest, and included a 23 bomb that found nothing but the bottom of the net as the final horn sounded.
Having not played an actual game in four weeks, some unevenness in their play was actually inevitable according to discerning Menehune Head Coach Alex Naumu.
“My assesment of the game is that they looked kind of rusty,” Naumu expounded, “Four weeks ago in preseason they looked really good. This game here I guess they were too excited, too anxious. They looked sloppy at times, they looked good at times.”
An exciting contest is anticipated as the idle Kauai Red Raiders (1-0) travel to the Clem Gomes gym on Friday, April 5, for a 5:30 p.m. junior varsity match-up with the Menehunes.
KAPA’A 4 5 4 8 – 21
WAIMEA 12 11 13 14 – 50
KAPAA: Tita Kuhaulua 3, Sandy Pimental 0, Eliza Vicoy 2, Wehi Oliver 0, Rachel Boshears 2, Leah Williams 0, Theresa Taylor 6, Nani Kuhaulua DNP, Pilialoha Keaweamahi 3, Mia Archuleta 0, Kaui Cutcher 2, Leilani Josselin 3, Samdi Makepa 0, Briana Conant 0, Brittany Kaui 0.
WAIMEA: Melissa Moreno 7, Chantelle Briones 2, Tiana Samio 4, Tori Kagawa 10, Jessica Jacinto 12, Kristine Sison 0, Tiara Kali 0, Jenalyn Andres 4, Mallorie Hepa 7, Elizabeth Yaris 0, Randi-Ranasha Ortiz 4.
3-Pt. Goals: (Kapaa 2) Kuhaulua, Taylor; (Waimea 2) Kagawa 2.
NOTE: KIF Basketball’s “Varsity Talk” will appear in Friday’s edition of the Garden Island.
